Pets and Supplements: Can You Give Dogs CBD?

The topic of CBD for pets has been gaining considerable attention lately, sparking curiosity among pet owners everywhere. Whether it’s conversations with friends, discussions heard on a podcast, or articles read in magazines or books, the buzz around CBD’s potential benefits for our furry companions is hard to ignore. This natural compound found in the hemp plant has certainly grown quickly through the pet community.

Amidst this growing interest, one question frequently arises: Can dogs safely consume CBD? This question is crucial for pet owners who are always on the lookout for ways to improve their pets’ health and well-being. The importance of choosing pet-specific CBD products cannot be overstated, as ensuring the safety and effectiveness of what we give our pets is paramount.

Can You Give Dogs CBD?

Can you give dogs CBD? Absolutely. Dogs can be provided CBD, but understanding how it works along with how to determine which products are of quality and which aren’t is important.

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in dogs, potentially helping maintain the general health of all ages and breeds. The endocannabinoid system is ultimately responsible for maintaining balance in your dog’s body; whether they’re a small dog or a large dog. In other words, your pet’s individual body has more to do with how they will react than your pet’s size.

Research also indicates that the fatty acids in CBD may also enhance bone and joint health in dogs and provide support for animals with sensitive skin.

The entourage effect of full-spectrum CBD, which includes a range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, enhances its effects in dogs. This synergistic interaction among different compounds in full-spectrum CBD from the hemp plant contributes to its overall efficacy.

Human CBD Products VS CBD Oil For Dogs

By choosing CBD oils designed for pets, pet owners can provide their furry companions with a product that supports and promotes long-term health. But ensuring it is actually pet-specific is incredibly important, not only to ensure it will work, but also to help maintain optimal health in your pup.

Human CBD oil poses risks to dogs due to its potentially higher THC content, which can be harmful to pets. Human CBD products may also contain other ingredients that are not pet-friendly, leading to adverse effects on dogs. And impurities could result in the pet CBD not working for your dog at all.

On the other hand, pet-specific CBD oil tinctures from reputable companies are carefully crafted to meet the unique needs of dogs. These formulations are designed to be safe and effective for canine consumption, ensuring that the ingredients are tailored to enhance the physical and mental well-being of an animal without any harmful substances.

Dog CBD Oil: Broad Spectrum Versus Full Spectrum

The distinction between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD for dogs lies in their composition and potential benefits. Full-spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of THC (not more than 0.3%), along with other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, creating the entourage effect. This comprehensive blend of compounds works synergistically to maximize the impact of full-spectrum CBD, making it a preferred choice for helping keep dogs in peak condition.

In comparison, broad-spectrum CBD is devoid of THC while retaining other beneficial cannabinoids and compounds found in the hemp plant. While free of THC, broad-spectrum CBD may lack the entourage effect observed in full-spectrum products, potentially limiting its efficacy in many aspects. So, can you give dogs CBD free of THC? You can, but it may not produce the results you’re hoping for.

Side note-CBD Treats: Earth Buddy’s CBD dog treats also contain full spectrum CBD oil. Try out the CBD dog treats: Soft Chews and Hemp Hearts. To add, their full spectrum CBD treats do not contain any artificial ingredients or preservatives.

How Much CBD Oil To Give Your Dog

Earth Buddy’s approach to CBD dosing for dogs and cats is straightforward and focused: They aim for the lower dose- the one that produces the desired effect with the lowest chance of side effects. They have based these dosing guidelines on those provided for other botanical extracts. There’s no reason to give more than what they need, right?

Earth Buddy’s guidance on CBD dosage aims to find the least amount necessary for effectiveness. Since every pet is unique, influenced by factors like age, breed, size, and health conditions, each animals’ response following administering CBD can vary. It will be a trial and error process. Don’t worry if it takes some time to get it down properly.

Overall, the dosage recommendations on how much CBD to provide are primarily based on the pet’s body weight, but Earth Buddy advocates for a personalized approach, adjusting dosage as needed based on the individual pet’s reaction.

What if the CBD You Give Your Dog Doesn’t Work?

If CBD didn’t work for your dog, there could be several reasons why. Understanding these factors can help you adjust the approach or seek alternative solutions:

1. Incorrect dosage: Finding the right dosage is crucial. Too little may not produce any noticeable effects, while too much won’t really help much either. It often takes time and experimentation to find the optimal dosage for your dog. Many pet owners who have experimented with full-spectrum hemp extract (full-spectrum CBD) might have started with a very low dosage initially, observed no improvements, and consequently decided to discontinue its use.
2. Quality of the product: Not all CBD products are created equal. The effectiveness can greatly depend on the quality, purity, and whether the CBD is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or an isolate. Products with low quality or insufficient CBD concentration may not provide the desired results.
3. Individual variation: Similar to humans, dogs have individual responses to CBD based on genetics, size, age, and overall health. What works for one dog might not work for another, even if they’re the same breed or even come from the same litter.
4. Absorption and metabolism: The way CBD is administered can affect its effectiveness. Oral forms of CBD may have different bioavailability compared to topical applications, and some dogs may metabolize CBD faster than others, reducing its effectiveness.
5. Expectation vs. reality: It’s important to have realistic expectations about what CBD can do. While it can help in some cases, it is not a magical cure-all. Some pets may respond better to other treatments.
6. Interaction with medications: If your dog is on medications, CBD might interact with them, altering its effectiveness. Always consult with a vet before combining CBD with other treatments.
7.Insufficient time: Sometimes, CBD may take time to show noticeable effects. Consistency and patience are key, as some dogs may need more time than others to show noticeable effects.

If CBD hasn’t worked for your dog, consider consulting with a holistic veterinarian who is knowledgeable about CBD use in pets. They can help reassess the situation, adjust dosages, recommend a different product, or explore other treatment options tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

What High Quality Dog CBD Oils Can Do

High-quality CBD oil (full-spectrum CBD) offers a range of benefits for dogs, tapping into the natural power of the hemp plant to support overall well-being and promote homeostasis. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Promoting peak condition: Full-spectrum CBD contains a wide array of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the hemp plant that work together through the entourage effect, potentially supporting physical and mental well-being.
2. Occasional discomfort: CBD is known for helping maintain a normal inflammatory response. Maintaining a normal inflammatory cytokine cascade may help discomfort associated with normal daily exercise and activity in dogs.

3. Calming effect on nerves: Full-spectrum CBD can help maintain calmness by helping reduce the effects of normal environmental stress. Another benefit pet parents may appreciate is it may also promote a sense of relaxation and mental alertness without drowsiness.
4. Promoting healthy inflammatory pathways: The cannabinoids in full-spectrum CBD can provide help for restless animals by promoting normal inflammatory pathways, thereby supporting occasional stiffness and soreness.
5. Enhancing brain function: CBD has been shown to support normal brain and nerve function, support normal nerve conduction and memory recall, and support normal recovery from stress.
6. Supports the immune system: The various compounds found in full-spectrum CBD can support the immune system, promoting the body’s innate resistance to pathogens and supporting normal detoxification processes.
7. Improves skin and coat health: The promotion of normal inflammatory pathways helps animals achieve a soft, silky, shiny and healthy coat.
8. Appetite stimulation: Since CBD promotes homeostasis (balance in the body), it may also support body weight loss and a healthy appetite.

For even more information, check out Colorado State University’s benefits to giving your dog CBD here.

Do Vets Recommend CBD Oil for Dogs?

The perspectives of holistic and traditional veterinarians on the use of CBD for pets differ, influencing their recommendations and approaches to treatment. Holistic vets often advocate for pet CBD as a natural alternative to conventional medications, since their emphasis is heavy on the Earth having provided all our dogs (and we) need. These veterinarians emphasize the potential benefits of pet CBD in supporting overall health and well-being, promoting a holistic approach to veterinary care.

Traditional veterinarians may approach CBD with caution due to concerns about dosing and potential interactions with other medications in your furry friend. Without additional education, veterinarians usually don’t have any training on CBD and often aren’t aware of how it works or the potential benefits, which makes them even more reluctant to promote it.

They prioritize the safety and well-being of their patients, taking into account the uncertainties surrounding CBD products and their effects on canine health. Traditional vets may recommend pharmaceutical medications as a first-line treatment and may not feel fully comfortable offering any natural products.

Check the Certificate of Analysis

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a crucial document that verifies the quality and purity of products in the unregulated world of pet supplements. This certificate is issued by a third-party laboratory and provides a detailed account of the testing results for individual batches of products. Check these before giving your dog CBD. Here’s why the lab results (COA) are important before you introduce CBD:
1. Lab results ensure product safety: A COA confirms that a product has been tested for harmful substances, like heavy metals, pesticides, or contaminants. Look through the lab results (COA) for any damaging or potentially harmful “ingredients.”
2. They Allow You to Confirm Purity: Lab results provide proof that the product meets the purity standards it claims to which is especially important when impurities can greatly affect the product’s effectiveness and safety. Look for the natural ingredients that occur naturally in the plant.
3. Transparency and building trust: Companies that provide a COA demonstrate transparency about their production and quality control processes. This transparency builds trust between dog owners and brands, since they have access to evidence of the product’s quality.
4. Informed decision making: Armed with the detailed information provided in a COA, many dog owners can make more informed decisions about the products they choose to purchase. If one COA shows a list of impurities, but the other has high purity, you would likely choose the latter.
5. Lab results support claims made by manufacturers: A COA supports claims made by manufacturers regarding their product’s composition and benefits. For instance, if a supplement claims to contain a certain percentage of a specific ingredient, the COA can validate this claim.

For further reading, we recommend:

• https://cvmbs.source.colostate.edu/canine-epilepsy-brought-stephanie-mcgrath-from-the-clinic-floor-to-cbd-clinical-trials/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9992179/
• https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/cbd-what-you-need-know-about-its-uses-and-efficacy
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10540436/#:~:text=CBD%20is%20considered%20safe%20for%20treating%20dogs%20with%20OA%20in,especially%20the%20long%2Dterm%20efficacy
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345916/
• https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-021-02891-6